"What? Lord Nobuhiro, the Kaozaki Family intends to break away from their liege and establish their own country?"
The aroma of tea in the quiet room had not yet dissipated. The two people in the room were both taken aback by such words.
Kaozaki Mitsuhiro’s expression shifted, shocked by his father’s ambition, yet secretly agreeing.
As deputies of the Tsugaru Ando Family, the Kaozaki Family served as Upper Country Guardians of the Ezo land, required to regularly pay tribute and comply with Tsugaru Ando Family’s military demands. This vassal relationship constantly depleted the Kaozaki Family’s finances and manpower, while limiting their expansion in the Ezo land.
"Lord Nobuhiro, please think twice! The Tsugaru Ando Family was the Emishi Governor during the Kamakura period, with territories spanning across the Mutsu, Dewa, and Ezo land, once a major power in the Northeast! Although the Ando Family is now divided in two, with the Hinoki-yama Ando Family opposing the Minato Ando Family of the Upper Country..."
"But even the Hinoki-yama Ando Family, whom the Kaozaki Family is loyal to, has at least sixty thousand stones of direct land, controlling over fifty thousand people, with two thousand samurai! Compared to the various vassals of the Hinoki-yama Ando Family, the Kaozaki Family..."
The great rchant Mori no Kiyoshi paused at this point, his expression somber, saying no more. But the implication was clear.
Kaozaki Mitsuhiro, standing nearby, lowered his head and sighed silently. The Kaiozaki Family’s strength was only one-tenth of their liege’s, just over two hundred samurai, half of whom were not fully ard.
Although in the Ezo land, the Koyozaki warriors could subdue various Ezo tribes due to better equipnt and combat skills, when faced with the countries of the Northeast, they were negligible! To defy their liege and achieve independence? It seed like a fool’s dream.
"Indeed, the strength of the Hinoki-yama Ando Family is more than ten tis that of the Kaozaki Family! Directly rebelling for independence is absolutely impossible."
Takeda Nobuhiro’s expression remained calm, smiling as he spoke.
"Therefore, Mori no Kiyoshi, I wish to use your connections to implore the General Ashikaga or the leader of the Xichuan to issue a decree that would even acknowledge the Kaozaki Family’s position in the Ezo land..."
"Absolutely impossible! Lord Nobuhiro, neither the General nor the leader would risk estranging the Tsugaru Ando Family just to elevate an aristocratic family in the Ezo land... Moreover, this is defying one’s superior!"
"Mori no Kiyoshi, do not rush. I never said it would be now, nor did I intend to supplant the Hinoki-yama Ando Family."
Takeda Nobuhiro’s deanor was leisurely, leaning forward slightly, his words earnest.
"The foundation of the Kaozaki Family has always been the Ezo land, always about advancing northward! I have no designs on any territories in Dewa, Mutsu, nor will I get involved in the struggles on Honshu Island. My greatest aspiration...if the Shogunate could grant independence, establish us as a country, appoint the Kaozaki Family to govern the Ezo land, even elevate this Great Island to Hokkaido...I would die without regret!"
"Likewise, even if the General could grant such a decree now, I wouldn’t dare accept! The Hinoki-yama Ando Family has not yet declined; their power in the Ezo land remains strong. This third condition is left to my son Mitsuhiro, even my grandson Yoshihiro..."
"It is only when the Hinoki-yama Ando Family is sufficiently weakened, the Kaozaki Family grows strong enough, and with the General’s support...that would be the opportune mont for the Kaozaki Family to establish independence and claim the Ezo land!"
Upon hearing this long-term, shrewd plan, the great rchant Mori no Kiyoshi looked deeply at Takeda Nobuhiro and asked solemnly.
"Lord Nobuhiro, are you so sure the Hinoki-yama Ando Family will decline?"
"An old tree that has grown for too long finds it hard to sprout new buds."
Takeda Nobuhiro replied with a smile. Though his face was aged, his eyes remained sharp, as if seeing through the passage of ti.
"Moreover, beside this old tree, there’s a strong and flourishing tree competing for sunlight and rain! The world will only grow more chaotic, but our Kaozaki Family, positioned in the Ezo land, is enough to protect ourselves. The Kaozaki Family will not miss any opportunity, continuously expanding northward! As long as we endure like snow-breaking grass, we will wait for our blossoming winter!"
Saying this, Takeda Nobuhiro turned his head to look at his son Mitsuhiro.
"Mitsuhiro, did you rember? The aspirations here, and the ans to achieve them..."
"Father, I have rembered your teachings!"
Kaozaki Mitsuhiro nodded respectfully, answering solemnly.
"The Kaozaki Family will extend its roots in the Northern Land, endure the winter, and quietly await the ti to blossom..."
"Hmm? Another large tree? Lord Nobuhiro, do you an the Nanbu clan?"
On the other side, the great rchant Mori no Kiyoshi’s eyes flashed as he contemplated silently. Then, watching Takeda Nobuhiro, he asked in a low voice.
"I recall you have so dealings with the Nanbu clan as well... Could it be?..."
"Haha! Mori no Kiyoshi, the affairs of this world are ever-changing; how can they be seen too clearly? When it cannot be seen clearly, what is spoken may just be a possibility..."
Takeda Nobuhiro stroked his beard, his laughter subdued, asking solemnly.
"Mori no Kiyoshi, this third condition might not apply to us, but to our descendants. So, are you willing to take it on?"
The great rchant Mori no Kiyoshi was silent for a mont, then clasped his hands together, swearing to the Buddha.
"Buddha as my witness! I, Mori no Kiyoshi, pledge to assist the Kaozaki Family in achieving independence!"
"Good! Good!"
Takeda Nobuhiro nodded with satisfaction, laughing heartily.
"Haha! Today’s matters have all been settled! Once outside this door, not a word must slip! ... Go, Mitsuhiro, have the servants prepare food and drink. Tonight, I wish to toast with an old friend!"
Having said that, Takeda Nobuhiro began reciting a poem by Le Tian, his voice rising and falling, though spoken in the Tang Language.
"Cinnabar ets fire without a trace, old man turned clay returns unceasingly.
Thankful for the wine immortal to warm and heat, pine and cypress to drunkard’s arrival lead..."
Upon hearing this, the great rchant Mori no Kiyoshi raised his eyebrows, also replying in perfect Tang Language.
"In a hundred years, how long does youth last, in a single spring, how many days of clear weather.
When eting, do not refuse drunkenness, listen to the fourth song of Yangguan!"
The exchange of Tang poems was in the Tang Language, eyes revealing what burdens them, sothing heavy, aged, yet longing for transcendence.
Nearby, Kaozaki Mitsuhiro looked confused. He did not understand the Tang Language, nor could he grasp his father’s poetic chanting. Naturally, he could not comprehend the aning hidden in the poem.
With the decline of the Muromachi shogunate, the world gradually beca turbulent, and the new generation of Wa Country samurai favored bows and swords, no longer practicing the Tang Language. At this late period of Muromachi, it was likely the last era in the Wa Country that cherished Tang Style. Beyond that, the new Wa Country culture would fully branch out from the Celestial Empire’s culture.
Only friends could understand the shared resonance of poetry. Having completed a recitation, the great rchant, Mori no Kiyoshi tightened his lips, gazed at Takeda Nobuhiro’s aging face of laughter, and his eyes revealed a faint sorrow. He understood the aning within the other’s verse and knew the reason for speaking in the Tang Language.
"...Life is all suffering, transcendence is so difficult... Lord Nobuhiro, it seems the escape from this sea of suffering is but a few years away..."
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